§ 101-35.301-2 - Policies.

(a) Executive agencies shall use the FTS long distance network to satisfy intercity telecommunications requirements within the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands for requirements which are within the scope of the FTS long distance network voice, data, and video services as such services become available unless:

(1) The agency requests and obtains from GSA an exception to the use of the FTS long distance network based on a GSA determination that:

(i) The agency's procurement requirements are unique and cannot be satisfied by the FTS long distance network; and

(ii) The agency procurement would be cost-effective and would not adversely affect the cost-effectiveness of the FTS long distance network;

(2) The agency requests and obtains from GSA an interim exception to the use of the FTS long distance network based on an established date for transition to the FTS long distance network; or

(3) An exception to the use of the FTS long distance network for the agency is otherwise provided by law.

(b) Unless any of the exceptions listed in paragraph (a) of this section apply to the procurement, and when overall procurement requirements include any agency long distance telecommunications requirements which are within the scope of FTS services, executive agencies shall require offerors in new awards to satisfy those requirements by using the Government furnished services of the FTS long distance network as such services become available.

(c) For ease of determining and evaluating Government costs, executive agencies also shall require offerors to unbundle FTS long distance services in their offers by separately describing and pricing the FTS services that satisfy Government requirements. However, the agency solicitation may prescribe an expected solution for the use of the FTS long distance network. Offerors would then be required to separately price the Government-furnished services of FTS only if their offers show a different use of FTS than the Government's expected solution.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, agencies may continue to use intercity telecommunications services and facilities provided under contracts previously authorized and awarded without obtaining an exception to the use of the FTS long distance network. However, agencies shall use available FTS long distance services that can satisfy their procurement requirements upon expiration of such contracts. Before exercising renewal options under existing contracts that will result in the provision of intercity telecommunications services, agencies shall obtain an interim exception to the use of the FTS long distance network. This interim exception will allow GSA and the agencies to plan an orderly transition to the FTS long distance network.

(e) In planning for transition to the FTS long distance network, agencies shall be responsible for determining customer premises equipment requirements to achieve efficient interfaces with the type of FTS services needed. However, agencies shall avoid duplicating FTS services. Agencies shall avoid incorporating inherently intercity features (i.e., features that can be provided only as part of an intercity network) of the FTS long distance network in agency networks. An exception to the use of the FTS long distance network is hereby provided to agencies with requirements for non-inherently intercity features to satisfy such features within a local network.